The world's largest aircraft will take off later this year

Stratolaunch, the world's largest wingspan with a length of 117 meters, will make the first flight at the end of the year.

Stratolaunch company founded by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011, will deploy 4 different satellite transport means, Space reported on August 20. All flew into orbit after being released overhead from mother plane Stratolaunch, the world's largest aircraft with a 117-meter wingspan. According to the company, Stratolaunch will make the first flight later this year.

Stratolauch ran on the runway.(Video: YouTube).

"We are excited to first share some details on the development of exclusive Stratolaunch launchers, providing greater zooming capabilities than any other vehicle. Regardless of the volume. , how orbits, launching satellites into space will soon become as easy as booking airline tickets , " said Jean Floyd, chief executive of Stratolaunch.

The four launch facilities that Stratolaunch developed include Pegasus, Medium-range launcher (MLV), Heavy medium range launcher and space plane. The Pegasus missile built by Northrop Grummann aerospace company has carried out dozens of launch missions. Pegasus can carry 370 kg of cargo and will fly with Stratolaunch for the first time in 2020 if schedule allows.

Medium range launcher (MLV) is a new rocket that can carry 3,400kg. MLV's first flight will take place in 2022, according to Stratolauch's representative. Meanwhile, the stronger version of MLV is in its early stages of development. Heavy-duty medium-range launchers will feature three propulsion cores and are capable of carrying up to 6,000kg.

Space planes are fully reusable vehicles to transport supplies to space and bring back to Earth. This will be the US Air Force's similar automatic control aircraft X-37B. Can carry medium size cargo, the aircraft is in the research - design phase.

Stratolauch and 4 launch vehicles will be carried between two fuselage.(Photo: Stratolaunch).

Stratolaunch is the idea of ​​Paul Allen co-founder. Allen wanted to turn the aircraft into a giant air cushion in the sky, helping to bring cargo to the universe faster and lower cost than current technologies. The plane was so big that if it was in the middle of the football field, its wing still held 3.8 meters out of the goalpost.

With a wingspan of 117 meters, the six-engine model is even bigger than the Antonov An-225, the Soviet Union's cargo plane is holding the record for the largest aircraft in the world today. Stratolaunch is designed to carry a launcher between two bodies. After the plane reaches a certain height, it will let the launch vehicle launch the propulsion and fly into space from mid-air.

Stratolaunch weighs 226,796kg without cargo. The aircraft can carry a maximum volume of 589,670kg during takeoff. Aircraft run on the runway thanks to 28 wheels. When flying high, it operates thanks to 6 Boeing 747 aircraft engines.